Patient Appreciation

Headaches are a shared universal experience – but still not a comfortable one. Everybody experience them differently but the main difference these days is in how they are treated. At San Diego Spine & Rehab we can help to diagnose exactly what kind of headaches you are experiencing in order to effectively treat them.

Did you know that headaches are responsible for more than 18 million doctor’s office visits annually in the U.S. and are the most common reason for reaching for over-the-counter medication? Equally burdensome is the dollar amount lost in productivity ($25 billion), based on the estimated 156 million WheelOutOfHandswork days forfeited each year by those too debilitated to even get out of bed.

All of this helps clarify a study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, which is currently causing a stir among health experts—and giving patients who are looking for drug-free alternatives reason to see their local chiropractor.

The study advocates chiropractic care for two types of sufferers. “Evidence suggests,” it concluded, “that chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, improves migraine and cervicogenic headaches.” The last refers to headaches that originate from faulty cervical and other spinal biomechanics often found in awkward motion or positioning, and can be accompanied by neck, shoulder or arm pain.

Additionally, patients with episodic or chronic tension headaches were found to be improved by doctors of chiropractic, who attend a minimum of four years of post-college chiropractic education and clinical training.

One man who knows the benefits that chiropractors can do to relieve such conditions (as well as provide nutritional advice, posture coaching and exercises) is Gerard Clum, DC, an avid supporter of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. In response to the study, he says, “Chiropractic care helps relieve the stress on your nervous system. And it’s fast becoming a go-to choice for providing a non-pharmacological approach to effectively manage headaches.”

At San Diego Spine & Rehab we work with skilled physicians and chiropractors to help manage and locate the underlying cause. With our highly personal system we will find a personalized approach to effectively help you.

If you are left debilitated due to chronic headaches or migraines – it’s time to get help. Call Us or email us today to set an appointment. We are here to help!

When faced with the thought of having to undergo back surgery, who wouldn’t want a real alternative?

Those who suffer from back pain may finally be able do just that as evidence mounts supporting the growing movement toward chiropractic care as the “first option” for relief over costly and invasive procedures such as spinal surgery. One job-related statistic underscores just how big a deal that really is: Back pain injuries outnumber all other occupational injuries in the U.S.

To that point, the latest study to show that seeing a chiropractic doctor from San Diego Spine & rehab first reduced the chance of having to undergo surgery was recently conducted by a collaboration of prestigious institutions, including Dartmouth College’s Geisel School of Medicine and the University of Washington School of Public Health. Their published results (“Early Predictors of Lumbar Spine Surgery After Occupational Back Injury: Results from a Prospective Study of Workers in Washington State”) found that while close to half—or 42.7 percent—of that state’s workers who visited a surgeon wound up going under the knife, only a scant 1.5 percent of those who first consulted a chiropractor shared the same end result. The outcomes reflect conditions of similar severity.

Prior studies support the more recent study findings, in that, patients who visit a chiropractor first have consistently better health results, less use of opiod medications and considerably lower medical bills. This is why it is extremely beneficial to see our professional doctors here at San Diego Spine & Rehab.

“As more data continues to surface, I expect that patients and practitioners will move to-ward considering chiropractic care first, medicine second, and surgery last,” said the not-for-profit Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Gerard Clum, D.C., in noting that health providers like the University of Pittsburgh have already adopted this approach.

Find out how San Diego Spine and Rehab can help! Call for your Complimentary Consultation!

Typically, the average person experiences a fair amount of stress through their lifetime and for most it’s very difficult to prevent. Stress can easily slow somebody down and hinder their daily performance. Stress is a natural (and healthy) human reaction but if its becomes severe it can lead to other diseases and illnesses.

Many people see chiropractic as a way of healing but can also be used when there is no physical issue. Chiropractic can be used in many different ways to prevent stress – so don’t fret! When you come to your first visit at San Diego Spine & Rehab our chiropractor will assess you by asking you to identify the risk factors and other contributing reasons that can spike your stress levels. If the patient also has some physical issues our chiropractor may feel the need for laboratory exams.

One your chiropractor has decided a course of action, it’s time to go. The main technique your chiropractor may do is spinal manipulation. This technique is great because it can be used both as a preventative measure for future ailments but also as a mean of healing. During the treatment the chiropractor will maneuver the spine to locate the proper alignment of the spine.

The spine is looked at as one of the most important pieces to your entire body and will benefit your health and wellness. The spine supports the body and protects the spinal cord where every second there are millions of neural impulses being sent to and from the brain. Assuring that these impulses are traveling smoothly it’s a key element to preventing stress. If your spine is happy and healthy your nervous system can work at its very best.

Another method to prevent stress is a massage. Activating your muscles through stimulation can allow the body to relieve itself of stress. Many patients exclaim how relaxing a chiropractic session can be. There are a few other techniques that may be used to relieve stress such as soft needling, therapeutic exercise, electro-physiotherapy, and many others. To top this all off your chiropractor can also help set a plan after the session including health teaching, lifestyle modification, and even diet. All of these tools can be implemented to live a life with less stress.

Our office is comprehensive and provides an extensive diagnostic and therapeutic range of services. Our specially-trained staff has one goal in mind – to relive you of pain and discomfort. We want to help. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

Abnormal curvature of the spine is looked at as a deformity or disorder. There are three main types of spinal curvature.

·Scoliosis: The most common type of spinal curvature. It is viewed as excessive sideways curvature of the spinal column.

·Kyphosis: This type is described as an excessive outward curvature of the back resulting in a hunchback.

·Lordosis: This is characterized as a forward curvature of the spine most commonly in the lumbar section of the spinal column.

At San Diego Spine & Rehab we can help you overcome your pain and get back on your feet. Spinal Manipulation is most typically used to treat these different types of abnormal curvatures. Spinal adjustments are used to help relocate the spine and relieve pain. Chiropractors do not use any surgical or invasive methods to treat the curvatures.

To be sure you see a certified chiropractor, visit our professionals at San Diego Spine & Rehab. This way you can ensure the spinal manipulation is done correctly and risk-free. Typically an X-Ray or MI will be used to diagnose the spinal curvature. Once confirmed the chiropractor may now use gentle force to readjust the spine within in range. This is why it is crucial to see a skilled and professional chiropractor.

After a few sessions the spine is restored to its natural alignment. This prevents nerve compression, results in good posture, pain relief, decrease in muscle tension, stiffness, and helps maintain a healthy body. Many believe that when the spine is properly positions it allows the body to have the ability to heal on its own and increases the ability of the immune systems leading to a high chance or prevention against diseases.

If you are in need or a physical therapist – look no further. Call San Diego Spine & Rehab today so we can pave a path to recovery!

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. Often called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones wears down over time.

While osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips.

Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and no cure exists. But osteoarthritis treatments can slow the progression of the disease, relieve pain and improve joint function.

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain. Your joint(s) may hurt during or after movement.

Tenderness. Your joint(s) may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.

Stiffness. Joint stiffness may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

Loss of flexibility. You may not be able to move your joint(s) through its full range of motion.

Grating sensation. You may hear or feel a grating sensation when you use the joint(s).

Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint(s).

Research from The Mayo Clinic suggests that a combination approach, much like our Integrated Medicine Approach is a great course of action for patients living with OA. Some of the services we offer in that area include:

Physical therapy. A physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized exercise regimen that will strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase the range of motion in your joint and reduce your pain.

Durable Medical Equipment (Braces or Shoe Inserts). Consider trying splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices that can help reduce your pain. These devices can immobilize or support your joint to help you keep pressure off it.

Cortisone shots. Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in your joint. During this procedure your doctor numbs the area around your joint, then places a needle into the space within your joint and injects medication. The number of cortisone shots you can receive each year is limited, because the medication can worsen joint damage over time.

Lubrication injections. Injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives (Hyalgan, Synvisc) may offer pain relief by providing some cushioning in your knee. These agents are similar to a component normally found in your joint fluid.

Find out how San Diego Spine and Rehab can help YOU deal with OA today! Call for your Complimentary Consultation!

SDSR Mission Valley 858) 573-0550

SDSR Oceanside: (760) 630-8400

We look forward to helping you learn to live well, with or without OA!

We are so fortunate to be a part of a culture where so many options are available to us, especially when it comes to our health and wellbeing.

Often times, we hold off on taking care of ourselves, because of the actual time and effort that is required! As a result, we are impacting our overall health and vitality by neglecting the necessary care that we need to remain healthy, strong, and able to perform our everyday essential functions.

That’s where Multi-Speciality Practices (MSP), like San Diego Spine and Rehab, come in!

With an MSP, you are afforded all of the benefits of one, or several practitioners, therapies, and customizable care…all in one facility!

What are some ways that choosing an MSP for your care can benefit you?

Your providers have an open line of communication, and can easily work together to tailor, or eventually change your Treatment Plan, ensuring that you get what you need, when you need it. In fact, we even dedicate time in our staff schedules to confidentially get together and discuss special requests/concerns and other high priority patient care issues. Our practice combines the expertise of Medical Doctors, Physician’s Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Rehabilitation Specialists, to bring you integrated, comprehensive, quality care!

It saves time: Your time is valuable, and we know that. MSP’s save you time because you don’t have to commute from place to place, or schedule several different appointments at various offices in multiple areas; You are able to schedule your appointments, and we can easily incorporate your specialty appointments into your schedule, to make the most of your time, while giving you the most beneficial quality of life possible. Our front desk staff members have the ability to access the schedules for all of your providers, and tailor your appointments to make care feasible and attainable for your everyday life.

San Diego Spine and Rehab is committed to bringing you superior, beneficial, and long-lasting care that helps you integrate wellness into your life. We want to help you achieve a lifestyle that promotes your best life possible!

Call us today for your Complimentary Consultation, so that we can put together your very own Treatment Plan and begin your better life!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760) 630-8400

Also, don’t forget the Backpack Full of School Supplies Giveaway in our offices this month! Enter for your chance to win, and let us help get your child back to school with all of the essentials!

Please Note: Our offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day . Please see the Front Desk to schedule accordingly. We will be open all day Tuesday, September 2nd, so that you can keep your treatment on track!

We’ve all been there. You aren’t used to this level of pain, and you’re able to tolerate it, initially. You carry on with your daily life, uncomfortably adjusting in the office, in the car, and when you’re trying to sleep at night.

The days, weeks, and months go by, and before you know it, your pain is increasingly affecting the everyday tasks that never seemed so taxing before! In the United States, the most common cause of disability in people under 40 years of age is back pain!

Back pain can not only be painful, but it also takes a toll on our emotions, immunity, and our ability to perform essential functions in our everyday lives. Back pain is typically caused by our everyday body mechanics, like poor posture or sleeping positions. Occasionally, back pain is also caused by rare and serious conditions or injuries. Throughout our lives, certain occupations and life events (like pregnancy) can also cause chronic back pain.

At San Diego Spine and Rehab (South Bay Physical Medicine), we are motivated each and every day by patients who tell us that they want to reduce their pain to do things as simple as being able to vacuum the carpets, and those really important things like holding/playing with their children. There is no task too small when a patient is dealing with pain on a daily basis. We call these Motivating Factors. Motivating factors are often even hobbies, such as getting back to the golf course, or running a 5K!

San Diego Spine and Rehab has combined the expertise of several highly qualified medical professionals to bring you a facility where you can access a strategic, and successful Treatment Plan, with those Motivating Factors of your own at the center of it all! We even provide complimentary Child Care in our offices!

Along with hindering your ability to perform everyday essential functions, back pain can also cause an emotional toll on you. For people with mild to moderate low back pain, a supervised exercise program may be enough to treat physical and psychological symptoms. Many times when a person exercises under supervision, studies show that their depression improves, their anxiety can improve, and their condition improves overall.

Don’t let back pain rule your life anymore!

Call San Diego Spine and Rehab today to schedule your COMPLIMENTARY Consultation, and see what we can do to help YOU take control of your pain, and get your life back today! We want to help you succeed with your motivating factors, and see you achieve a better quality of life overall

Some women find it uncomfortable to lay face down right from the start of pregnancy because of their tender, swollen breasts. Also, you can’t lay face down on the traditional massage table because your belly button has started to grow or protrude. On the other hand, it’s not necessarily advisable to lie flat on your back either, particularly once your past mid-pregnancy, because the weight of your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your legs to your heart.

For these reasons, SDSR has specially designed pads with hollowed out areas made to accommodate growing bellies and breasts for maximum comfort while you’re treating.

Photo:Google Images

How can Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy help me?

There is some evidence that Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy helps patients who suffer from love back pain and chronic headaches by decreasing stress and promoting relaxation.

Carrying a baby changes your center of gravity, and therefore puts a lot of stress on your low back, neck, shoulders, and abdominal muscles. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, which changes your posture and pulls your pelvis forward. In addition to the extra weight you carry during pregnancy, and you may find your self with an aching lower back!

Our licensed Massage Therapists know where a pregnant woman is most likely to suffer from soreness, and may be able to provide some much-needed relief to these areas. Additionally, they know what areas and techniques are best to be avoided during a pregnancy. As ever, it is imperative that you communicate with your therapist, letting them know where you need attention. Let them know right away if anything during your Prenatal Extended Manual Therapy session-including your positioning-causes you any discomfort!

Photo:Google Images

We pride ourselves on the ability to make your pregnancy as pain free and pleasant as possible with treatment plans that are tailored to YOUR needs.

Call us today for a Complimentary Consultation, so that we can assess your needs and get you on track to the best possible care before, during, and after pregnancy!

Mission Valley Office: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Office: (760)630-8400

We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment! Have a wonderful weekend!

July has arrived, and we have all kinds of fun happening in both of our offices to enjoy it!

We look forward to it every year, and we know our patients do, too! The Cooler Full of Fun is an amazing variety of games, snacks, and toys to really take advantage of the Summer months! It’s easy to win, too! For every appointment you keep, you will receive ONE ticket into the raffle! For every friend you refer in as a New Patient, you’ll get an additional FIVE tickets into the raffle! We get really excited about this, so don’t be surprised if our staff awards you extra tickets during your appointment for a job well done!

Oceanside Cooler Full of Fun! Find it in the front lobby!

Mission Valley Cooler Full of Fun!

The new Playroom calendars are out too, with lots of fun for your little ones on Fun Fridays!

Mission Valley Playroom Calendar-July 2014

Oceanside Playroom Calendar-July 2014

We can’t wait to see what you and your little ones come up with! Let’s have some fun this month!

We were very honored and excited last month to receive word from Yelp! that we are creating a buzz in the community! Have you gone online to share your experience yet?

It’s been a busy month here at SDSR, and we are so excited to share some of the highlights! June is so exciting for us all, with kids going on Summer Vacation, the fair coming to town, and more! Want to keep up with the latest info, events, and photos from SDSR? “Like” us on Facebook!

The San Diego County Fair is in town until July 4th, and we are so excited to have our very own booth out there to spread the word about San Diego Spine and Rehab and what we do! Check out some of our awesome Therapy Department staff members having a blast in the exhibit hall!

Lety from our Mission Valley office doing some Trigger Point Therapy!

We love celebrating the many accomplishments of our staff whenever we get a chance, too!

Happy 3 Year Anniversary to Phuong, our Physician’s Assistant in the Mission Valley office! It’s been an awesome 3 years, and we look forward to many more with you!

Congratulations to Jessica, in the Oceanside Rehab department on completing the Camp Pendleton Mud Run in June as the 2nd Overall Female! She’s one tough chick!

Don’t forget! San Diego Spine and Rehab (and our sister practice, South Bay Physical Medicine) takes a lot of pride in providing not only the best care to our patients, but also being involved in our communities! Contact us today to learn more about hosting a relaxing, educational event with us-or we will come out to your events too! Email our Event Coordinator at KristinSutton@sdsr.com, and we will take it from there!

Here are some of the latest events we have had the pleasure of hosting and attending!

MCAS Junior Jarheads event!

MWHS 3 Spouse Social!

Also, all of our offices provide COMPLIMENTARY CHILD CARE! It’s been a blast in both of our playrooms for “Fun Fridays”, with themes and fun to keep the kids entertained while their parents take some much needed time to tend to their wellness needs! Summer holds even more fun in store (look for the July calendar coming soon)!

Also, don’t forget, if you live in the South Bay area of San Diego, check out our sister practice, South Bay Physical Medicine! SBPM provides the same high quality care, at a new convenient location in Chula Vista! Give them a call today at (619) 869-8900 to schedule your Complimentary Consultation! You can also “Like” them on Facebook!

Interested in a Complimentary Consultation at our Mission Valley or Oceanside locations? We are just a phone call away!

Mission Valley Location: (858) 573-0550

Oceanside Location: (760) 630-8400

We look forward to seeing you at the fair, and at your next appointment! Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend!